Anycubic Kobra 3 Review: A Deep Dive into Speed, Multi-Color, and User Experience

The Anycubic Kobra 3 (often referring to the Kobra 3 Max, the flagship of the series) has emerged as a strong contender in the competitive 3D printer market, particularly for those seeking a balance of large build volume, high speed, and multicolor capabilities. Building on the foundation of its predecessors, the Kobra 3 aims to deliver a more refined and user-friendly experience, making it an attractive option for both beginners and experienced makers. But does it live up to the hype? Let's break down the pros and cons.

Anycubic Kobra 3 Max multi-color 3D printer review

Pros:

  • Exceptional Speed and Performance: The Kobra 3 boasts a maximum print speed of 600mm/s and acceleration of up to 10,000mm/s², significantly reducing print times. Its Kobra OS firmware, combined with SG15 high-precision bearings and a dual-axis core design, ensures fast yet precise movements.
  • Impressive Multi-Color Printing (with ACE Pro): For users interested in vibrant, multi-material prints, the optional Anycubic Color Engine (ACE Pro) is a game-changer. It supports up to 4 colors (expandable to 8 with a second ACE Pro unit), allowing for complex designs without manual filament swaps. The ACE Pro also features an integrated filament drying function, a crucial addition for maintaining filament quality and preventing print issues.
Anycubic Kobra 3 high speed FDM printer
  • Large Build Volume: With a substantial build volume of 420 x 420 x 500mm (Kobra 3 Max), this printer is ideal for large-scale projects, cosplay props, or batch printing multiple smaller items, reducing the need for segmentation and assembly.
  • Enhanced User-Friendliness and Automation: The Kobra 3 is designed with ease of use in mind. It features LeviQ 3.0 auto-leveling for a perfect first layer, semi-automatic belt tensioning, and AI-powered features like Spaghetti Detection and Filament Entanglement Detection. These smart functions minimize common printing errors and make the process more hands-off, which is excellent for beginners.
  • Robust Build Quality: The printer generally features a solid, all-metal base with dual lead screws and dual Y-axis motors (on the Max version), contributing to stability and precision during high-speed printing.
  • Improved Hot end and Material Compatibility: The Kobra 3's hot end can reach up to 300°C and features a ceramic-composite throat tube to reduce clogging. This expanded temperature range and quick-release hot end design allow for printing with a wider variety of filaments, including more demanding materials like ABS and ASA, beyond standard PLA and PETG.
  • Connectivity and Open-Source Potential: It offers Wi-Fi, cloud connectivity, and LAN mode, providing flexible control options. Anycubic has also indicated open-source compatibility with Klipper, offering advanced users significant customization opportunities.
Anycubic Kobra 3 Max setup and first print guide

Cons:

  • Slicer Software Limitations: While functional, Anycubic's proprietary slicer software has been noted by some users as less feature-rich or intuitive compared to third-party alternatives like Orca Slicer, especially concerning fine-tuning multicolor purge settings, which can lead to filament waste.
  • Physical Footprint: The large build volume, especially with the ACE Pro unit, means the Kobra 3 requires a considerable amount of space, which might be a drawback for users with limited workspace.
  • Initial Nozzle Issues: A few users have reported issues with the supplied 0.4mm nozzle, experiencing frequent clogging. However, this seems to be resolved with a replacement nozzle.
  • Screen Quality: Some users have noted minor cosmetic issues with the touchscreen, such as stress marks, though this generally doesn't affect usability.
  • Open Frame Design: While common for bed-slinger printers, the open frame design can limit successful printing of high-temperature materials like ABS (despite the higher hot end temperature) due to the lack of an enclosed, heated build chamber.
Is the Anycubic Kobra 3 quiet during printing?

User Reviews:

Based on the feedback by users, Anycubic Kobra 3 is highly praised for its exceptional value, making it suitable for both beginners and experienced users. Notably, its multicolor printing capability with the ANYCUBIC ACE Pro enables vibrant designs. Users commend the print quality and speed, with models produced rapidly. Setup is straightforward, aided by automatic bed leveling (LeviQ 3.0) that ensures perfect first layers. The Anycubic app enhances the experience with remote monitoring and AI features to detect and pause failed prints. Users report reliable performance across various filament types and appreciate the build quality. Overall, it's a feature-rich, cost-effective machine that enhances the 3D printing experience.

The Anycubic Kobra 3 has faced significant user frustration due to frequent hardware failures and poor customer support. Many users report critical issues from the start, such as hotend clogs, dead Z-axis motors, and ineffective auto-leveling features. Common complaints include mechanical instability and the need for constant re-leveling. Customer service has received overwhelmingly negative feedback, with users experiencing slow responses and difficulties in processing returns or obtaining replacement parts. The proprietary software, Anycubic Slicer Next, is viewed as restrictive, leading to problems like inconsistent bed adhesion.

Overall, The Anycubic Kobra 3 offers an impressive feature set, particularly its speed, large build volume, and multicolor printing capabilities (with ACE Pro), making it very appealing for beginners and those seeking advanced functionalities at a competitive price. However, these benefits are frequently overshadowed by significant and widespread quality control issues, consistent hardware failures (especially hot end and Z-axis problems), and extremely poor customer support, leading to immense user frustration, wasted time, and a high likelihood of the printer becoming unusable.

Click below to read about user comments on Amazon.

Anycubic Kobra 3 3D Printer 9.8"x9.8"x10.2"

Anycubic Kobra 3 3D Printer Only 250*250*260mm Size

Click here to read about other 3D Printers that I have reviewed.

FAQ:

Q: How loud is the Anycubic Kobra 3 during operation?

A: The Anycubic Kobra 3 can be quite loud, especially during high-speed printing. Some users have compared the fan noise to that of a "jet engine" or described it as "loud vibrations" that can be heard from another floor. While it may be quieter than some older models, it is generally not considered a silent printer. This noise can be a significant drawback for those in quiet environments.

Q: Does the Anycubic Kobra 3 have automatic bed leveling?

A: Yes, the Anycubic Kobra 3 features automatic bed leveling. It uses Anycubic's self-developed LeviQ 3.0 auto-leveling system, which aims to eliminate the need for manual Z-offset adjustments and ensures a consistent first layer.